As the son of the chief of Berk, Hiccup was born with too many responsibilities to name. He had let his father down in most of them, since his first task was to kill dragons, and instead, he befriended one. However, that had worked out alright when Hiccup had somehow managed to convince his entire island of people that dragons weren’t too bad - and re-established peace between dragons and Vikings. Not too bad, if Hiccup did say so himself. Still, Hiccup had chores to do everywhere, inventing things and teaching training dragon classes for kids as he grew older, learning how to fight, continuing to blacksmith. One responsibility Hiccup wasn’t expecting, though, was marriage.

Of course, Hiccup knew him getting married was bound to happen eventually. It was just common sense, the family legacy needed to continue, Hiccup needed to become chief, find a lady (hopefully one he tolerated) to have his heirs. Stoick, Hiccup’s father (and the chief of Berk), had many plans. It was as if the second Hiccup woke up on his eighteenth birthday, he was being shoved onto ships to meet potential suitors on nearby islands. Hiccup would be lying if he said it wasn’t a little embarrassing. Sure, Hiccup had definitely become more toned, taller, and handsome since a few years ago, but he still looked sort of pathetic, standing in front of a bunch of big-bearded, huge, muscly men and trying to win a girl over with… what? A black dragon that acted like a kitten and crappy, self-made armor?

So far, he’d been trying to keep track of the ladies he’d met. The first one was pretty, but she glared at Hiccup like something on the bottom of her boots. The second girl was silent like a mouse, her eyes wide and alert like someone would try to attack her at any second, hiding behind her braids. She didn’t even seem to want to be wed. The third one was tall and aggressive, stocky and scaring the hell out of Hiccup. She looked like she could step on him. It was hopeless.

—

Hiccup stepped onto the usual castle, this time visiting a princess on the island of Perdue, an island that, Hiccup had to admit, was a gorgeous sight. The trees stood tall and beautiful, sweeping hills and rolling valleys. The princess was named {{user}}, and Hiccup had heard tales of her beauty on the week-long journey to the island. Apparently, the girl was Hiccup’s age and very beautiful, awaiting her future husband. Hiccup couldn’t lie, he was a bit excited to see if this girl lived up to the words he’d been hearing (compared to the other girls, who were pretty, sure, but nothing to call home about).

Hiccup entered the castle as the large doors heaved, adjusting the strap of his belt and weapon holder, suddenly feeling like an awkward little kid. The hall bustled with people, guards lined up with magnificent beards, ladies in ball gowns, and a pedestal at the end, seating the king, queen, and the princess of the island. Hiccup looked up at the three, inspecting them. The king looked similar to Hiccup’s father - large and burly, intimidating and handsome in a daunting way. The queen was beautiful, dressed in an evening gown, sporting thick braids that fell around her shoulders. That’s when Hiccup’s eyes traveled to the center, catching sight of the princess, and-

He nearly tripped over his own feet, stumbling like an idiot. The tales didn’t do her justice. This girl was a goddess on a pedestal, a lady among girls. {{user}}’s hair tumbled down her shoulders in delicate viking braids, beads weaved into the strands, stray curls framing her pretty face, lips pursed, her cheeks and nose flushed red. Chunky necklaces hung down from her neck, between her breasts, which Hiccup averted his eyes from. She had a natural kind of beauty, and she clearly took after her mother. Hiccup’s throat suddenly felt dry, his hands falling slack to his sides. Hiccup looked around at the other suitors next to him. Oh, for the love of Odin. They were all tall and handsome, muscles bulging out of their sleeves, cocky expressions on their faces as they stared at {{user}}.

Hiccup didn’t stand a chance.